Applied Behavior Analysis Measuring Behavior
This set covers measurement in ABA, highlighting how behaviors are quantified by assigning numbers or units, and emphasizing repeatability, where instances of a behavior can be counted over time.
measurement
the process of assigning numbers and units to particular features of objects or events
Key Terms
measurement
the process of assigning numbers and units to particular features of objects or events
repeatability/ countablity
instances of a response class can occur repeatedly through time (bx can be counted)
temporal extent
every instance of behavior occurs during some amount of time (i.e. duration)
temporal locus
every instance of BX occurs at a certain point in time with respect to other events (i.e. when BX occurs)
count
a simple tally of the number of occurrences of BX
rate/ frequency
number of responses per unit of time
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
measurement | the process of assigning numbers and units to particular features of objects or events |
repeatability/ countablity | instances of a response class can occur repeatedly through time (bx can be counted) |
temporal extent | every instance of behavior occurs during some amount of time (i.e. duration) |
temporal locus | every instance of BX occurs at a certain point in time with respect to other events (i.e. when BX occurs) |
count | a simple tally of the number of occurrences of BX |
rate/ frequency | number of responses per unit of time |
free operant | behaviors that have discrete beginning and ending points, require minimal displacement in time and space, can be emitted at nearly any time, do not require much for completion, can be emitted over a wide range of response rates |
discrete trials | responses are controlled by a given opportunity to emit the response |
celeration | a measure of how rates of response change over time |
celeration trend line | a line drawn through a series of graphed data points, visually represents the direction and degree of trend in the data |
celeration time period | 1/20 of the horizontal axis of all standard celeration charts |
duration | the amount of time in which behavior occurs. Basic measure of temporal extent |
response latency | the measure of time elapsed between the onset of a stimulus and the initiation of a subsequent response |
the measure of time elapsed between the onset of a stimulus and the initiation of a subsequent response | the amount of time that elapses between 2 consecutive instances of a response class |
percentage | ratio formed by combining the same dimensional quantities event over 100 opportunities. |
trails to criterion | a measure of the number of response opportunities needed to acheive a predetermined level of performance |
topography | the physical form or shape of a behavior |
magnitude | the force or intensity with which a response is emitted |
event recording | a wide variety of procedures for detecting and recording the number of times a behavior of interest occurs (hand tally, wrist counters) |
time sampling | a variety of methods for observing and recording behavior during intervals or at specific moments in time |
whole interval recording | the observation period is divided into a series of brief time intervals. at the end of each interval the observer records whether or not the behavior occurred throughout the interval |
partial interval recording | the observer records whether the bX occurred at any time during the interval |
measurement by permenant product | measuring BX after it has occurred by measuring the effects that the BX produced on the environment. |
momentary time sampling | observer records whether the target behavior is occurring at the moment that each time interval ends. |
planned activity check (PLACHECK) | uses head counts to measure group BX. |
artifact | something that appears to exist because of the way it is examined or measured. |